Posts Tagged ‘Governor Andrew Cuomo’

The new venture will provide jobs, internships and add to the college’s career-focused educational environment.

SUNY Canton has received approval to begin its first Start-Up NY partnership.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Adirondack Operations LLC, has been approved to begin working with the college. The business will receive tax incentives as it expands its operations in Canton.

Adirondack Operations owners Mary Anne and Craig M. Kaputa speak with Small Business Development Center Director Dale Rice. The company recently began a partnership with SUNY Canton through the Start-Up NY program.

SUNY Canton is the first college in the North Country to have a Start-Up NY company in operation on its campus, and the first college in the SUNY Technology Sector to have an approved business in the program.

“Our partnership with Adirondack Operations will offer new professional opportunities for our students,” said SUNY Canton President Dr. Zvi Szafran. “We’ll have an innovative and progressive business that fits squarely within our mission right here on campus.”

The business will be using the Start-Up NY partnership to create a new division specifically focused on developing software solutions for facility and construction management.

Owners Mary Anne and Craig M. Kaputa said they were eager to work with faculty and students from SUNY Canton. They will be offering student internships to assist with marketing. They plan to work with the Construction Management and Computer Information Systems programs and will provide lectures supporting the college’s entrepreneurial environment.

“We are looking at using innovative technologies to launch the next generation of construction management,” Craig said. “Students and faculty from the Canino School of Engineering Technology can help us with this project.”

The company plans on creating five new jobs within its first five years of operation. “Opening a technology-based business is going to help keep qualified graduates in the area,” Mary Anne said. “We will be looking for someone immediately to work with us in the Canton office.”

Adirondack Operations will be housed alongside the SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center in Wicks Hall.

About Start-Up NY

Start-Up NY was developed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to transform SUNY campuses and other university communities across the state into tax-free areas for new and expanding businesses. Eligible businesses that partner with SUNY Canton will be able to operate state tax-free for 10 years, including property, income, sales and corporate tax.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The college’s 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that the SUNY Board of trustees approved a statewide policy to combat sexual assault, which will establish a uniform set of practices throughout its 64 campuses, including SUNY Canton.

The resolution includes implementing a uniform, system-wide definition of consent that is required between participants before engaging in sexual activity; an immunity policy to protect students coming forward to report sexual assault; a statewide training program for campus police and administrators regarding how to address sexual assault incidents; a public campaign to increase awareness among students and parents; and a uniform Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights that will, in clear and specific language, inform a student of his or her rights following an attack including the option of approaching State Police.

“SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said it best when he noted that keeping our students safe is our number one priority,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “Having uniform policies and a standard definition of consent will help us educate our students about making the safe, and ultimately right, decisions. Over the next few weeks, we will be promoting a campus-wide campaign involving students, faculty, staff, and alumni aimed at increasing sexual assault awareness, education and prevention.”

SUNY Canton already meets many of the criteria outlined by Gov. Cuomo and SUNY. The college plans to adopt the new measures outlined in the new policy.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “SUNY is committed to providing the best tools, resources, and services for students to protect them from sexual assault and support them in the event that an incident does occur. Governor Cuomo has helped us develop a comprehensive plan for increased awareness and police training that will complement our existing efforts and enhance our national leadership role in combating sexual assault and violence. We are proud to implement this new policy in partnership with the governor and the presidents at each of our 64 college and university campuses across New York State.”

Campus sexual assault prevention measures on a national level have also gained momentum. Szafran represented SUNY in August during an announcement of support for the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, a bill co-sponsored by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, which strengthens accountability for institutions nationwide in reporting sexual violence on campus, among other measures.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The college’s 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

More than 250 North Country residents learned how to prepare for disasters at the Citizen Preparedness Corps training hosted at SUNY Canton on Saturday, April 5.

National Guard members presented on proactive planning solutions to help respond to disasters. More than 250 people attended the training at SUNY Canton.

New York State Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo started the trainings with a goal of preparing 100,000 New York residents to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors if an emergency strikes. Members of the state’s National Guard presented a variety of ways to help residents to be proactive.

New York State Assemblymember Addie J. Russell said, “This initiative is about teaching New Yorkers what they can do in their own homes and for their neighbors to prepare for and respond to future emergencies. This is a truly visionary approach when you think about it – building a smarter, safer New York from the ground up.”

New York State Assemblymember Addie J. Russell personally thanked area Boy Scouts for attending the Citizen Preparedness Corps training.

Among the emergencies that attendants learned about included natural, man-made and technological. The National Guard members recommended advanced planning with all family members before an emergency strikes.

“It is important to get the message out that anyone can prepare for emergencies,” said Michael J. LeCuyer, St. Lawrence County emergency services director. “Some things will be beyond people’s control and they may need assistance from emergency services, but we want to empower people to take care of emergencies on their own. By doing so we can provide better services to those who need it the most.”

Additional tips from the two-hour training included stocking up on food and water for at least 7 to 10 days. Typically, residents should save a gallon of water per person per day. Additionally, trainers advised photographing personal items of value and have important documents on hand and safely protected from water and fire.

Pictured are area preparedness experts (L to R) Fire Protection Specialist Christopher Taylor from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Region III Office of Emergency Management Director Bruce Jordan, New York State Police Lieutenant Troy J. Granmoe, St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Michael J. LeCuyer, and St Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells.

“The importance of this training is neighbors taking care of neighbors,” Said St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells, who is a 1980 graduate of SUNY Canton. “If we don’t help each other, what are we going to do? We are in an isolated part of the state and we need to take care of ourselves.”

SUNY Canton has majors in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. It is also home to the North Country Emergency Medical Services Program Agency. The Citizen Preparedness Corps training fits well within the scope of the programs and services offered at the College.

The College is vying to house the State’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cyber Security through a partnership with Clarkson University, Potsdam. The Colleges would become the first in the nation devoted to homeland security and would establish integrated education, training and research in a comprehensive public-private partnership.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

“We have robust academic programs in the fields of Homeland Security, and Emergency Management in addition to our renowned Criminal Justice curricula,” said SUNY Canton Acting President Joseph C. Hoffman. “This training augments what many of our students are learning in their courses and is designed to prepare the public for natural or man-made disasters.”

State Senator Patty A. Ritchie, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair Jonathan Putney, and the St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Office are cosponsoring the training.

The two-hour program comes with a free disaster preparedness kit, including a first-aid kit, pocket radio with batteries, food bars, emergency blanket and other key items to help citizens in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Participants will be advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies.

SUNY Canton is in the running to become the State’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cyber Security through a partnership with Clarkson University, Potsdam. The Colleges would become the first in the nation devoted to homeland security and would establish integrated education, training and research in a comprehensive public-private partnership.

About the Citizen Preparedness Corps:

The Citizen Preparedness Corps training began in February and has been held about a dozen times in various locations across the state. Trainings are led by the New York National Guard, working with experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Training sessions will be coordinated with local county emergency management personnel.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

A representative from the SUNY Canton President’s Office will be presenting the College’s Start-Up NY plans and progress at the Village of Canton’s board of trustees meeting.

Executive Director of University Relations Lenore E. VanderZee will be attending the monthly meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Canton Municipal Building. The meeting is free and open to the public.

VanderZee oversees the College’s Start-up NY ventures. She will be outlining the initiative and the related strategies SUNY Canton will use to implement the tax-free incentives for businesses.

“We’ve been in contact with several businesses interested in partnering with the College to participate in the Start-Up NY Program,” VanderZee said. “We plan to lay the groundwork with promising start-ups and expanding businesses that fit with the College’s educational mission. These partnerships can foster tremendous economic growth in our community.”

The initiative was originally developed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as the SUNY Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate New York and is more commonly referred to as Start-Up NY. It intends to transform SUNY campuses and universities into tax-free communities for new entrepreneurs and expanding businesses.

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced new grant funding designated for wood pellet boiler research following an application by SUNY Canton.

Skylar P. Reynolds of Ogdensburg loads wood pellets into the hopper of a large wood pellet boiler.

Rural residents in upstate New York may be able to offset the high cost of fossil fuels by implementing new wood pellet boilers with large-capacity feeding capabilities.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced a $163,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for SUNY Canton to measure the efficiency of automatic-feeding wood pellet boilers.

“We will study all aspects of the combustion process of wood pellets and can determine how efficient a heating appliance will be when installed for residential or commercial use,” said Michael J. Newtown, interim dean of the Canino School of Engineering Technology. “A component of this grant is to demonstrate the long term efficiencies and emissions from heating with wood pellets.”

Newtown and Distinguished Professor Emeritus and former Dean Arthur G. Hurlbut filed the grant to demonstrate how pellet boilers could replace conventional fuel-oil furnaces. Fuel oil costs have spiked recently and can cost in excess of $4 a gallon in some areas. It would take approximately $1.70 in wood pellets to produce equivalent heat of a gallon of fuel oil, approximately 130,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), according to Hurlbut.

“We are setting up three boiler systems as demonstration sites at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Canton,” Hurlbut said. “One of the units we are installing will automatically vacuum feed the pellets into a hopper, making it as convenient to maintain as a fuel-oil boiler.”

The grant was designed to deliver findings to the public, including the benefits of heating with pelletized wood over traditional cordwood. Wood pellets are manufactured locally by Massena-based Curran Renewable Energy and can be delivered in bulk to the end user, similar to current delivery methods for fuel-oil users. Bulk pellets are easier for a consumer to use than conventional cordwood, because they take up less space and the large-capacity machines require fewer refills.

Nathan M. Christy of Canton and John C. Johnson of DeKalb test the emissions of a wood pellet boiler in SUNY Canton’s Harry E. King Air Conditioning Engineering Technology Laboratory.

The College has previously tested the buildings for energy efficiency using Building Performance Institute energy audits. All three structures will respond similarly to many homes in the North Country. Heating costs from previous years are also available, so the demonstration will show actual savings. The heating systems can be monitored remotely and data findings will be made public.

Newtown and Hurlbut previously studied the combustion of switch grass pellets in pellet-burning stoves based on a 2009 NYSERDA grant. Two journal articles were published based on the findings in Energy and Fuels, an American Chemical Society publication.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier College for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor’s degrees. The College’s 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.